What is AB 481?
California Assembly Bill (AB) 481 requires California law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of a Military Equipment Use Policy by their applicable governing body prior to taking certain actions related to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment as defined by the legislature
Governing Body
The Santa Monica Community College District is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees elected to four-year terms by voters in the district which serves Santa Monica and Malibu. A student trustee who serves for a one-year term is elected by the Santa Monica College students.
The public may contact members of the Board of Trustees in writing c/o Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404, or by calling the district office at 310-434-4200.
Transparency
To help guide this process and create transparency for our Santa Monica College communities, the Santa Monica College Police Department (SMCPD) established this webpage to provide all required materials including the full text of the bill, the SMCPD policy, the SMCPD equipment report, the SMCPD annual report, and information on the governing body public meetings.
- California Assembly Bill 481 (full text)
- SMCPD Policy 706 (Military Equipment)
- SMCPD AB 481 Equipment Report
- Board of Trustees Meeting Information
Process
During the upcoming November 2024 Trustee Meeting, the Board of Trustees will review and consider approval of SMCPD Policy 706 (Military Equipment) and the military equipment listed in the SMCPD AB 481 Equipment Report.
Annually thereafter, the Santa Monica College Police Department is required to submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees. Pursuant to AB 481, the Board of Trustees will review and vote on whether to renew any Santa Monica Community College District adopted ordinance/resolution approving the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment.
Public Input Regarding AB 481
Pursuant to AB 481, the Santa Monica College Police Department seeks public input of its draft Military Equipment Policy (Policy 706) and military equipment inventory. The public is invited to review SMCPD Policy 706 (Military Equipment), SMCPD AB 481 Equipment Report, and the full text of AB 481 that have been uploaded to this website (see links above) on September 19, 2024, thus meeting the required posting of at least 30 days prior to the Board of Trustees meeting on November 12, 2024.
At any time, members of the public can contact the Santa Monica College Police Department at SMCPD@smc.edu with any input, questions, or concerns about the department’s compliance with AB 481.
Note
The Santa Monica College Police Department has not obtained, nor does it utilize, any equipment procured from the United States Department of Defense through the Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program).